[Topic wise IAS Modern Indian History Question Bank (1979-2015)]: (3) Early Structure of the British Raj

Early Structure of the British Raj: The early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt’s India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India.

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1. Discuss the basic features of the judicial administration under the East India Company. Did the British introduce the modern concept of the rule of law in India? [1986, 60m]

2. “What kind of administrative change was introduced in India under the East India Company? [1993, 60m]

3.”The Charter Act of 1833 rung down the curtain on the company’s trade and introduced a new concept of government in India.” Substantiate. [2011, 20m]

4. “The Regulating Act (1773), the Pitt’s India Act (1784) and eventually the Charter Act of 1833 left the East India Company as a mere shadow of its earlier political and economic power in India.” Critically examine. [2015, 10m]

The English utilitarian and India

1. Assess the impact of the utilitarian ideas in molding the British attitude towards India. How did the utilitarian try to solve the problem of land revenue? [1992, 60m]

2. “Sprung from paternalism, the English Utilitarian philosophy as introduced in India rejected its human warmth between rulers and the ruled.” Comment. [2008, 20m]

3. “James Mill, the apostle of utilitarian philosophy, proposed a revolution of Indian society through the ‘weapon of law’ solely. But in actual policy framing, other influences and considerations weighed much more than the colonial State.” Elucidate. [2015, 20m]